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Jan. 15, 1957 T. B. ORTWIG Re. 24,

ELECTRICAL SWITCHES Original Filed May 28, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR.

LHQMAS B. ORTWIG Jan. 15, 1957 T. B. ORTWlG ELECTRICAL SWITCHES 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 28, 1953 INVENTOR. BT/HOMAS B..OR'TWIG Jan. 1957 "r. B. ORTWIG ELECTRICAL SWITCHES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed May 28, 1953 INVENTOR.

THOMAS E. ORTWIG 7 Huk 4/ 7 6 \2 HTTOKA/[V United States Patent 01ELECTRICAL SWITCHES Thomas B. Ortwig, Florrisant, Mo., assignor to JamesR. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of MissouriOriginal No. 2,707,732, dated May 3, 1955, Serial No. 358,055, May 28,1953. Application for reissue April 30, 1956, Serial No. 581,816

9 Claims. (Cl. 200-48) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates generally to electrical switches and morespecifically to electrical switches of the sideopening type, thepredominant object of the invention being to provide an electricalswitch of the type mentioned which is intended for use as a unit of agang switch structure and which, because of its improved constructionand arrangement, is capable of performing its function in an improvedand highly efficient manner.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an electrical switch constructed andarranged in accordance with this invention, with portions of theinsulators broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken on thestaggered line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken on line 4-4of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken on line 55of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken on line 66 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing parts of the switch inchanged positions.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail illustrating the contact arrangement at oneend of the switch.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for purposes of illustration, merely,one embodiment of the invention, A designates in Fig. 1 the improvedelectrical switch generally. The switch A includes a base member 1 whichpreferably, though not necessarily, is in the form of a channel beam,said base member having a pair of vertically disposed insulators 2 and 3mounted thereon, the

lower portions of the bolt shanks in contact with the lower face of thetop wall of the base member 1. Contacting with the top face of thebracket member 4 is a spacer 7 with which top face the bottom face of amember 8 contacts, said member being provided with an annular flange 9.Bolted to the annular flange 9 of the member 8 by means of bolts 10 isan element 11 which includes an arm 12, the element 11 being providedwith outstanding lugs 13, and the shanks of certain of the bolts 10extend through apertures formed through said lugs and through theannular flange 9 of the element 11 with nuts 14 applied to the lowerportions of said bolt shanks in contact with the lower face of theannular flange 9 of the member 8. In addition to the bolts 10 justreferred to herein, a bolt 15 serves to aid in the attachment of theelement 11 to the member 8, the shank of said bolt 15 passing throughalined apertures formed through the arm 12 and the annular flange 9 ofthe member 8 with a nut 16 applied to the lower end portion of said boltshank in contact with the lower face of the annular flange of the member8. The insulator 2 is suitably fixed to the element 11 and an operatingrod 17 is fixed to the member 8, said rod having means (not shown) atits lower end which facilitates axial rotation of said rod with aconsequent axial rotation of the insulator 2.

As stated above, the insulator 3 is supported by the base member 1 in astationary manner, there being a bracket member 18 having an annularflange 18 which is fixedly secured to said base member 1 by bolts 19,whose shank portions extend through alined apertures formed through theflange 18' of said bracket member 18 and through the top face of thebase member 1. The shank portions of the bolts 19 have nuts 20 appliedthereto which contact with the lower face of the top wall of the basemember 1, and the insulator 3 is suitably secured to the bracket member18.

Secured to the top face of the insulator 2 by means of bolts 21 is ablade holder 22, said blade holder having a circular plate portion 23which is secured to the top portion of the insulator 2 by the previouslymentioned bolts 21. Extended at an approximate right angle relative tothe plate portion 23 is a vertically disposed portion 24 and projectedfrom the lower portion of said vertical portion 24 is a horizontalportion 25. The horizontal portion 25 is provided with an arcuate recess26 and flanges 27 extended outwardly from the portion in which saidrecess is formed. Also, a portion of a blade 28 is seated in saidarcuate recess with a pair of U-bolts 29 arranged in partial embracingrelation with respect to said blade portion, the legs of said U-boltsbeing extended through apertures formed through said flanges 27 andhaving nuts 30 mounted thereon which engage said flanges. The plateportion 23 of the blade holder has formed thereon a tubular extension 31which extends upwardly therefrom, said tubular extension beinginternally screwthreaded and receiving the lower screwt hreaded portionof a vertically disposed spindle 32 (Fig. 3), there being a pin 33extended through apertures formed in opposed wall portions of saidtubular extension 31 and through said spindle to prevent rotation ofsaid spindle. Embracing said spindle is a bearing sleeve 34 which isprovided with annular flanges 35 at the opposite end thereof and isprovided with openings 36 formed in the wall thereof, the bottom flange35 of said sleeve contacting with the top face of the tubular extension31, while the top flange of said sleeve is engaged by a nut 37 which isscrewed on the upper screwthreaded portion of the spindle 32. A hood 38having a top wall 38a and depending, marginal wall portions 38b hasformed in its top wall a flanged opening 39 through which the upperportion of the spindle 32 extends, the flange of said opening 39extending downwardly and contacting at its lower end with said nut 37. Anut and washer assembly 40 is applied to the upper portion of thespindle 32 in engagement with the top wall of the hood 38, and a bolt 41is extended through an aperture formed through the top wall of the hoodat the forward portion of said hood and is screwthreadedly projectedinto the top of the vertical portion 24 of the blade holder 22.

Arranged in embracing relation with respect to the bearing sleeve 36 isthe hub portion 42' of a terminal bar 42, said hub portion being capableof rotating about the bearing sleeve 36 to a limited degree andcontacting at 'tion 24 of the blade holder 22 is a pair of resilientcontacts 46 which are providedwith inwardly projected extensions 47,these extensions being riveted, or otherwise secured, to the contacts 46as is shown to good advantage in Fig. 3. The inner faces of theextensions are forced by the resiliency of the contacts 46 into closecontact with the circumferential face of the hub portion 42' of theterminal bar 42. Also each contact has related to it a resilient element48 which is provided with a rivet 49 extended therethrough the head ofwhich contacts with the contact 46, as is shown to good advantage inFig. 2, so as to apply pressure to the related contact. The forward endportions of each pair of the related contacts 46 and 48 have a spacer 50located therebetween, and bolts 51 are extended through alined aperturesformed in said forward end portions of said contacts and in the spacers,the screwthreaded shanks of said bolts being extended screwthreadedlyinto openings formed in the vertical portion 24 of the blade holder 22for securing said contacts in place.

Fixedly mounted atop the insulator 3 is a contact and bearing support52, said support having a circular plate portion 53 which is secured tosaid insulator 3 by means of bolts 54, and extended forwardly from theplate portion 53 is a, terminal portion 55 which is elevated slightlywith respect to the plate portion, as is shown to good advantage inFig. 1. The contact and bearing support 52 includes a vertical disposedportion 56 which is formed integral with and extends upwardly from theplate portion '3, and located at the upper end of this vertical portionis a bearing structure 57, there being an integral web 53 related tosaid plate portion 53, vertical portion 56, and bearing to impartstrength to the structure. Also, a horizontal portion 59 is extendedforwardly from the vertical portion of the contact and bearing support52, a vertical web 60 being arranged beneath said horizontal portion togive strength thereto. Supported by the bearing structure is a swingingcontact member 61 which comprises a head portion 62 of substantiallyL-shaped formation, there being a shaft 63 extended forwardly of theswitch from the head portion 62 of the swinging contact member 61. Thisshaft 63 extends through and beyond the bearing structure 57, therebeing a bearing sleeve 64 disposed within the bearing structure throughwhich said shaft passes and said bearing sleeve is provided with annularflanges 64' at its opposite ends which contact with the end faces of thebearing structure 57, as is shown in Fig. 5. The shaft 63 has an openingformed therethrough through which is extended a pin 65 whose oppositeend portions extend beyond the peripheral face of said shaft, saidextended end portions of said pin contacting with the forward end of thebearing sleeve 64 to prevent rearward movement of the shaft 63 relativeto the bearing structure 57. The portion 66 of the shaft 63 which isextended beyond the bearing structure isprovided with a plurality offlattened portions 66' which serve a function to be hereinafter setforth.

The head portion 62 of the swinging contact 61 has secured thereto atone side thereof a leg 67, said leg having an outwardly flared portion67' at its lower end and being secured by means of bolts 68, locatedadjacent to its upper end, to said head portion 62. The leg'67 isprovided at its inner face-with a rib 69 that is secured thereto andextends longitudinally thereof (Figs. 6 and 7) and serves a functiontobe hereinafter setforth. At the opposite side of the head portion 62 aresilient leg 70 is secured thereto", said leg 70 having a low-erportion 70' secured thereto by means of suitable fastening devices 71.Also, the lower portion 70 has secured thereto at its inner face a rib72 which extends longitudinally of a portion thereof. An auxiliaryresilient leg 73 is arranged substantially parallel with respect to theleg 70, there being a spacer between the upper end portions of said legs70 and 73 with the shank of bolts extended through alined openingsformed through said upper leg portions and said spacer and screwed intoscrewthreaded openings 74 formed in said head portion 62 of saidswinging contact 61 for securing said legs 74) and 73 in place relativeto said head portion. The auxiliary leg 73 has mounted thereon a rivet75 whose head contacts with the leg 70.

The blade 28 of the switch A for the greater portion of its length is oftubular formation with the extreme, forward portion of said bladeflattened to provide a blade portion 76 which is disposed in ahorizontal position. Fixed to this flat, forward portion of the blade:is a flanged rib 77 which is riveted, or otherwise secured, to saidblade portion. Secured to the horizontal portion 59 of the contact andbearing support 52 at opposite sides thereof is a pair of resilientcontacts 78 which. have secured thereto at points adjacent to the upperends thereof inwardly projected extensions 73, the inner faces of saidextension 78 contacting with the circumferential face of the forward endportion 66 of the shaft 63 of the swinging contact 61 at diametricallyopposed sides thereof. Related to each contact 78 is a resilient element79 which is. provided with a rivet 80 mounted there on whose headcontacts with the related contact 78 to apply pressure thereto, andinterposed between the lower portions of each related pair of contacts73 and 79 is a. spacer 8.1, said lower portions of each related pair ofcontacts 78 and 79 and the spacer 81 located therebetween being providedwith alined apertures through which the shanks of bolts 32 are passed,said bolt shanks being screwed into screwthreaded openings 83 formed inthe portion 59 of the contact and bearing support 52. The projectedportion 66 of the shaft 63 and the contacts 78 and 79 are covered by ahood 84, said hood having a rearwardly extended flange through whichbolts 25 are extended for securing said hood in place. Also, an arcinghorn-8,6 is supported by the portion 53 of the support 52 and extendsupwardly therefrom, while a companion arcing horn 87-is suitably mountedon the switch blade 2.8 in such position that it, will engage saidarcing horn $6.501": operation in an obv-iousirnanner.

In the use of the'switch of this invention the swingingcontact'mernberfl, in the closed switch position of the switch, assumesthe position in which it is shown in Fig, 6, with the flat, forwardportion 76 of the blade 28 extended between the downwardly extended legs67 and 70 of said swinging contact. At this time it will be pointed. outthatthe leg 67 is a contact whose rib 69 contacts with a side edge ofthe blade portion 76, and that the leg 70- is likewise a contact, therib 72 of the lower portion70 of said leg 70 contacting with theopposite'side: edge of the forward portion 76 of the blade 28'. Also,the leg 73 functions as a leaf spring, the head of the rivet 75 of saidleg 73 contacting with said lower-leg portion 70 of the leg 70 in amanner to apply such pressure to theleg 70 as to provide high pressurecontact between the contacts 67 and 70 and the opposite side edges" ofthe blade portion 76. The electrical path through the switch A is fromthe incoming conductor Ca to theterminal arm 42, from said terminal arm42 through the contacts 46 to the blade-holder 22 and blade, from saidblade-holder through the contacts 67 and 70 of the swinging contactmember, and through the contacts 78 to theterminal portion 55 of thecontact and bearing. support 52 to which an outgoing conductor Cb isconnected by a. pair of clamping plates 88 which are drawn toward eachother and are secured to said terminal portion 55 by bolts 89.

To move the switch A to the open-switch position the rotatable insulator2 is rotated in a direction which will move the switch blade 28, whichis fixed to said rotatable insulator, horizontally from the position inwhich it is shown in Fig. 6 to the position in which said switch bladeis shown in Fig. 7. During such movement of the switch blade the fiat,forward portion thereof, being in contact with the leg 70 of theswinging contact member 61, will move said swinging contact member fromthe position in which it is shown in Fig. 6 to the position in whichsaid swinging contact member is shown in Fig. 7. Likewise, when theswitch A is to be moved to the closed-switch position the rotatableinsulator is rotated in the reverse direction and the flat, forwardportion of the switch blade contacting with the leg 67 of the swingingcontact member moves said swinging contact member from the position inwhich it is shown in Fig. 7 to the position in which it is shown in Fig.6. It is to be noted that coaction between the rib on the inner face ofthe leg 70 of the swinging contact member 61 and the projection [76'] 77secured to the forward portion 76 of the switch blade 28 causes said leg70 and said forward blade portion to clear each other so that there isno opportunity for interference between said parts on opening movementof the switch blade of the switch.

I claim:

1. A side break electrical switch comprising a base member, an insulatorstructure supported by said base member for rotary movement, a switchblade supported by said rotary insulator structure for movementtherewith in a horizontal plane, a second insulator structure fixedlysupported by said base member, and a contact structure supported by saidfixed insulator structure, said contact structure including spacedcontact elements, a shaft, a bearing for supporting said shafthorizontally for oscillatory movement, means for electrically connectingan incoming electrical conductor to said switch blade, and means forelectrically connecting an outgoing electrical conductor to said spacedcontact elements, said spaced contact elements receiving therebetweenand in electrical contact therewith a portion of said switch blade.

2. A side break electrical switch comprising a base member, an insulatorstructure supported by said base member for rotary movement, a switchblade supported by said rotary insulator structure for movementtherewith in a horizontal plane, a second insulator structure fixedlysupported by said base member, and a contact structure supported by saidfixed insulator structure, said contact structure including a head,spaced contact elements extended from said head, a shaft extended fromsaid head, a bearing for supporting said shaft in a hori zontal positionfor oscillatory movement, means for electrically connecting an incomingelectrical conductor to said switch blade, and means for electricallyconnecting an outgoing electrical conductor to said contact structure,said spaced contact elements receiving therebetween and in electricalcontact therewith a portion of said switch blade.

[3. A side break electrical switch comprising a base member, aninsulator structure supported by said base member for rotary movement, aswitch blade supported by said rotary insulator structure for movementtherewith in a horizontal plane, a second insulator structure fixedlysupported by said base member, and a contact structure'supported by saidfixed insulator structure, said contact structure including a head,spaced contact elements extended from said head, a shaft extended fromsaid head, a bearing for supporting said shaft in a horizontal positionfor oscillatory movement, means for electrically connecting an incomingelectrical conductor to said switch blade, and means for electricallyconnecting an outgoing electrical conductor to said contact structure,said spaced contact elements receiving therebetween 6 and in electricalcontact therewith a portion of said switch blade and each of said spacedcontact elements being provided by a pair of plates one of which isprovided with a projection which contacts with the other of said pair ofplates] [4. A side break electrical switch comprising a base member, aninsulator structure supported by said base member for rotary movement, aswitch blade supported by said rotary insulator structure for movementtherewith in a horizontal plane, a second insulator structure fixedlysupported by said base member, and a contact structure supported by saidfixed insulator structure, said contact structure including a head,spaced contact ele ments extended from said head, a shaft extended fromsaid head, a bearing for supporting said shaft in a horizontal positionfor oscillatory movement, means for electrically connecting an incomingelectrical conductor to said switch blade, and means for electricallyconnecting an outgoing electrical conductor to said contact structure,said spaced contact elements receiving therebetween and in electricalcontact therewith a portion ofsaid switch blade and each of said spacedcontact elements being provided by a pair of resilient plates one ofwhich is provided with a projection which contacts with the other ofsaid pair of plates] 5. A side break electrical switch comprising a basemember, an insulator structure supported by said base member for rotarymovement, a switch blade supported by said rotary insulator structurefor movement therewith in a horizontal plane, a second insulatorstructure fixedly supported by said base member, a contact structuresupported by said fixed insulator structure, said contact structureincluding a head, spaced contact elements extended from said head, ashaft extended from said head, a bearing for supporting said shaft in ahorizontal position for oscillatory movement, spaced contact elementselectrically contacting with a portion of said shaft, means forelectrically connecting an incoming electrical conductor to said switchblade, and means for electrically connecting an outgoing electricalconductor to the spaced contact elements which contact with said shaft,said spaced contact elements which extend from said head receivingtherebetween and in contact therewith a portion of said switch blade.

[6. A side break electrical switch comprising a base member, aninsulator structure supported by said base member for rotary movement, aswitch blade supported by said rotary insulator structure for movementtherewith in a horizontal plane, a second insulator structure fixedlysupported by said base member, a contact struc ture supported by saidfixed insulator structure, said con tact structure including a head,spaced contact elements extended from said head, a shaft extended fromsaid head, a bearing for supporting said shaft in a horizontal posi tionfor oscillatory movement, spaced contact elements electricallycontacting with a portion of said shaft, each of said spaced contactelements being comprised of a pair of plates, means for electricallyconnecting an incoming electrical conductor to said switch blade, andmeans for electrically connecting an outgoing electrical conductor tothe spaced contact elements which contact with said shaft, said spacedcontact elements which extend from said head receiving therebetween andin contact therewith a portion of said switch blade] [7. A side breakelectrical switch comprising a base member, an insulator structuresupported by said base member for rotary movement, a switch bladesupported by said rotary insulator structure for movement therewith in ahorizontal plane, a second insulator structure fixedly supported by saidbase member, a contact structure supported by said fixed insulatorstructure, said contact structure including a head, spaced contactelements extended from said head, a shaft extended from said head, abearing for supporting said shaft in a horizontal position foroscillatory movement, spaced contact elements electrically contactingwith a portion of said shaft, each of said spaced contact elements beingcomprised of apair of resilient plates, means for electricallyconnecting an incoming electrical conductor to said switch blade, andmeans for electrically connecting an outgoing electrical conductor tothe spaced contact elements which contact with said shaft, said spacedcontact elements which extend from said head receiving therebetween andin contact therewith a portion of said switch blade] [8. A side breakelectrical switch comprising a base member, an insulator structuresupported by said base member for rotary movement, a switch bladesupported by said rotary insulator structure for movement therewith in ahorizontal plane, a second insulator structure fixedly supported by saidbase member, a contact structure supported by said fixedinsulator-structure, said contact structure including a head, spacedcontact elements extended from said head, a shaft extended from saidhead, a bearing for supporting said shaft in a. horizontal position foroscillatory movement, spaced contact elements electrically contactingwith a portion of said shaft, each of said spaced contact element beingcomprised of a pair of resilient plates, one of which is provided with aprojection which contacts with the other of said pair of plates, meansfor electrically connecting an incoming electrical conductor to saidswitch blade, and means for electrically connecting a outgoingelectrical conductor to the spaced contact elements which contact withsaid shaft, said spaced contact elements which extend from said headreceiving therebetween and in contact therewith a portion of said switchblade] 9. In a side break electrical switch having a base, a rotaryinsulator assembly carrying a switch blade, and a second insulatorassembly carrying contact means coopernble with the free end of theswitch blade; the improvement comprising a spindle fixed toprojectaxially from said rotary insulator, a terminal member rotatablyjournullcd over said spindle, said terminal member being formed in partwith a radial line-connecting projection and in part with u cylindricsurface concentric with the spindle and axially offset from saidline-connecting projection, a blade-holding member fixed on said rotaryinsulator for carrying the switch blade, said blade-holding memberhaving resiliently-biased brush means engaging the periphery of thecylindric terminal portion, and a hood member mounted over said spindleto cover the cylindric portion of the terminal member and said brushmeans.

10. In a side break electrical switch having a base, a rotary insulatorassembly carrying a switch blade, and a. second insulator assemblycarrying contact means with the free ends of the switch blade; theimprovement comprising a terminal member rotatably journalled on one endof said rotary insulator for rotation about the axis thereofl saidterminal member being formed in part with a radial line-connectingprojection and in part with a cylindric surface axially ofiset from saidline-connecting projection, a blade-holding member fixed -to said rotaryinsulator for carrying the switch blade, a resilient contact leaf fixedto said blade-holding member with its free end engaging the cylindricsurface of said terminal member.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, further including a secondresilient finger fixed to said blade-holding member and formed with aprojection at its free end, said projection engaging the back of saidcontact leaf adjacent the free end thereof.

12. In a side break electric switch having a base, a

rotary insulator assembly carrying a switch blade, and a secondinsulator assembly carrying contact means cooperable with the free endof the switch blade; the improvement comprising contact-supporting meanson said second insulator, a contact member having spaced contactsdepending therefrom for receiving the free end of the switch bladetherebetwecn, said contact member being journalled on its supportingstructure for rotation about ahorizontal axis.

13. A side break switch as set forth in claim 12, wherein the free endportion of the switch blade is formed with a flattened generallyhorizontal end, and a lip formed on the upper portion of said flat endfor cooperation with one of the spaced contact members as the switch isopened, thereby to swing the contact members from a verticalswitch-closed position outwardly to a switch-open position clear of thehorizontal flat end of said switch blade.

14. A side break switch as setforth in claim 12, wherein said contactmembers are movable from a vertical switchclosed position outwardly to aswitch-open position, and spring detent means on said second insulatorfor releasably holding the contact members in their outwardlyswungswitch-open position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS Harrison Nov. 24,

